HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY STÉPHANE DUJARRIC,
SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
MONDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2023
SECRETARY-GENERAL/GENEVA
The Secretary-General is about to wrap up his day in Geneva. A few hours ago, he spoke at the High-level pledging conference for the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and reminded us that today, more than 21 million people – two in three Yemeni children, women, and men – need assistance and protection.
The people of Yemen deserve our support, he said, but more than that, they deserve a credible path out of perpetual conflict and a chance to rebuild their communities and country. He called for the generosity of the Yemeni people to be matched by our own solidarity with them.
Also speaking at the Yemen conference was Martin Griffiths, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, who pointed to what he called “small pieces of light.” Mr. Griffiths noted that the truce signed last April led to falling numbers of civilian casualties and displacement, and he called for the truce to be renewed and expanded. He also said that the number of people who need humanitarian aid has dropped slightly, with some of the worst needs having receded.
Mr. Griffiths said this demonstrates very clearly in a very positive and constructive way that in Yemen, as in other chronic crises around the world, progress is possible.
Earlier today, the Secretary-General addressed the opening of the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council and said that as we mark its 75th anniversary, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is under assault from all sides, adding that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered the most massive violations of human rights we are living today.
Turning to climate, he said that legal challenges against climate-wrecking corporations are an important step forward. Fossil fuel producers and their financiers must understand one simple truth: that pursuing mega-profits when so many people are losing their lives and rights, now and in the future, is totally unacceptable.
DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, arrived in the capital of Niger, Niamey, today to attend tomorrow’s opening of the ninth Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, which is organized jointly by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Government of Niger. During her three-day visit, Ms. Mohammed is expected to meet with President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger and other senior officials from the government.
Additionally, as the Chair of the Africa Regional Coordination Platform, she will engage with Regional Directors of the UN entities across the system in Africa to continue to seek pathways to strengthen and deliver results at the regional level.
She will also meet with Resident Coordinators from all over the African continent to take stock of the outcomes from various UN processes last year and to see how we leverage on upcoming milestones this year and build momentum for the SDGs as we are at the midpoint to 2030.
As part of ongoing UN country team collaborative support to a core focus of the Government of Niger, Ms. Mohammed will also visit a primary school in the capital to meet with government officials and partners on stepping up efforts to achieve the government’s vision on education. She will hear firsthand from the school children how the joint effort has improved their learning environment and introduced digital technology, which will transform learning.
LIBYA
The Special Representative for Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, briefed the Security Council this morning and told Council members that Libyans are impatient and question the will and desire of political actors to hold inclusive and transparent elections in 2023.
Mr. Bathily said that Libya’s political class is going through a major legitimacy crisis. One could say that most institutions lost their legitimacy years ago. Solving this legitimacy crisis should therefore be a priority for all political actors willing to challenge the status quo.
He said that he has decided to launch an initiative aimed at enabling the organization and holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2023.
WEST BANK
The Secretary-General echoes the statement issued this morning by Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland. He reiterates he is gravely concerned by the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank. He strongly condemns the acts of terrorism and violence in Huwwara and calls for all perpetrators to be held accountable. There can be no justification for terrorism, nor for arson and acts of revenge against civilians. Security forces have the responsibility to maintain security and prevent individuals from taking the law into their own hands. He underscores that violence, provocations, and incitement must stop immediately.
The Secretary-General urges all sides to take action to de-escalate the situation and to refrain from steps that could further enflame an already volatile situation. He is encouraged by the commitments reaffirmed by the parties in the final Communique of the Aqaba meeting, which took place over the weekend, including on efforts to de-escalate the situation on the ground.
EARTHQUAKE
Today, 38 UN trucks crossed into the north-west of Syria. This brings the total number of UN trucks that have crossed into north-west Syria since 9 February to 423 trucks. This is an average of 23 trucks per day, which is slightly above pre-earthquake levels. The UN top priorities remain scaling up the humanitarian response in the areas of shelter, winterization, and cash support.
Yesterday, a UN inter-agency team from Qamishli City, in northeast Syria, delivered a truck carrying emergency supplies during a cross-line mission to Ras Al-Ain town in Al-Hasakeh Governorate. This is the second crossline mission to Ras Al-Ain district after the first one undertaken by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on 27 October 2022. According to a UN-backed assessment, overcrowding is the most common issue in collective shelters for people displaced by the earthquakes. Several families are staying in the same space without privacy and safety. Lack of gender segregation in shelters and bathrooms was also frequently observed.
The Syria Flash appeal is nearly 40 per cent funded, having received $156.6 million out of the requested nearly $400 million.
Meanwhile, for Türkiye, the $1 billion Flash Appeal for the country is currently 7 per cent funded at nearly $73 million.
The UN continues to support the Government-led humanitarian response in the country. The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) has sent waste bins and other materials to help authorities collect and move waste and sanitize rubble, while the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has reached more than 6,600 people with dignity and maternity kits, as well as reproductive health commodities and services.
MALI
The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) condemned an attack perpetrated on 23 February by a terrorist armed group in the village of Kani-Bonzon, in the Bandiagara region, which resulted in at least 12 civilians killed and three others injured. The assailants also burned several homes and buildings.
In consultation with authorities, the Mission has taken the necessary steps to investigate the attack, in line with its mandate to promote and protect human rights.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head the Mission, Mr. El-Ghassim Wane, also met with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights to bolster cooperation and to reaffirm the Mission’s commitment to support stabilization efforts in the country.
SHIPWRECK
Over the weekend, in a tweet, the Secretary-General noted that, yet another horrific shipwreck has claimed the lives of dozens of people, including children - this time off the coast of Italy. He stressed that every person searching for a better life deserves safety and dignity, and that we need safe, legal routes for migrants and refugees.
In a joint statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) expressed their deep condolences for the loss of human lives. They noted that it is estimated that the boat had some 180 people on board, including children and families, who left from Turkey and came mainly from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
After this tragedy, according to the IOM's Missing Migrants Project, at least 280 people have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean this year alone.
UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON
I’ve been asked about the internal fact-finding investigation into the attack that took place on 14 December 2022 in Al Aqbieh, Lebanon, which resulted in the tragic death of Irish peacekeeper Sean Rooney.
I can tell you that our internal investigation has been completed. As we continue to cooperate with the Governments of Lebanon and Ireland with respect to their ongoing investigations, a copy of the report has been provided to both governments.
Attacks on peacekeepers, such as the attack that took place in Al Aqbieh, are serious crimes and we urge relevant national authorities to conduct timely and thorough investigative and judicial proceedings to ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable.
GUEST TOMORROW
Tomorrow, the noon briefing guest will be the Deputy Special Representative, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, who will brief on the situation in Afghanistan.
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
Nicaragua has paid its regular budget dues. That brings us to 59 Member States who have paid their regular budget dues in full.
***The guest at the Noon Briefing was Ross Smith, the Deputy Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), who briefed journaists on WFP’s response to the 6 Feb. earthquakes in Syria and NW Syria.
